Hay and stock rack.



I'. GOWLES.

HAY AND STCK RACK.

APPLIOATION FILED Muze. 1909.

991,607, Patented May 9, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

F. GOWLES.

I HAY AND STOCK RACK.

APPLICATION FILED MAYzs, 1909.

Patented May 9, 1911.

s SHEETS-SHEET@ 311110,14 tot Rms r- P. COWLES. HAY LAND STOCK RACK.APPLICATION 'FILED Muze, 1909.

Patented May 9, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

me Nomels PETERS ca, wAsmNcTaN. n. c

FRANK COWLES, 0F TEKONSI-IA, MICHIGAN. 5

HAY AND STOCK RACK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led May 26, 1909.

Patented May 9, 1911.

serial No. 498,407.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK CowLns, a citizen of the United States,residing at T ekonsha, Michigan, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Hay and Stock Racks, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in combination hay and stockracks.

It is, in certain particulars, an improvement of the structureillustrated in U. S. Letters Patent No. 858,347, issued J une 25th,1907, to Henry M. Morrill and Fred A. Randall, and has also specialfeatures in addition thereto.

The object of this invention is to increase the security7 of suchdevice, and to facilitate its manipulation, and also economize in itsmanufacture.

A further object is to greatly increase the capacity of such a rack whencarrying small animals and also to greatly increase the deck capacityfor carrying fruit or vegetables in baskets or packages.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invent-ion is clearlyillustrated in the 'accompanying dra-wing, forming a part of thisspecification, in which:

Figure 1 is a transverse detail sectional view through a combination hayand stock rack, embodying the features of my invention, portions beingbroken away to show details of construction and the bottom portion beingshown in sections, the left hand brackets being in section on a linecorresponding to line 1 1 of Fig. 4. Fig. 2 is a detail transversesectional view, similar to the view of Fig. 1, except that the doubledecking has been removed and the hinged sides coupled directly to theside brackets instead of to said double decking. Fig. 3 is also a detailtransverse sectional view, on a line corresponding to line 1 1 of Fig.4, of one half of the rack showing the adjustment of the rack side tovdifferent angles, one of the adjustments being indicated by dottedlines. Fig. 4 is a detail elevation view of one of the side brackets andarms of the rack, shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectionaldetail view somewhat en- Y larged of the bottom crossbar and bracket,

taken on a line corresponding t-o line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is anenlarged detail sectional view on line 6 6 of Fig. 1, showing thedetails of the coupling of the bracket to the upper deck. Fig. 7 is adetail sectional view enlarged on line 7 7 of Figs. 1 and 2, of the sidearms when the rack side is vertical. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailsectional view on line 8 8 of Fig. 2, showing the bevel of tenon 18..Fig.'9 is a detail sectional view showing the structure when a top boXis in place on the rack body.

In the drawings, the sectional views are taken looking in the directionof the litt-le arrows at the ends of the section lines, and similarnumerals of reference refer to simi lar parts throughout the severalviews.

In describing my improved rack, I will firstdescribe it as it appears inFig. 2, where the double deck is omitted, and the parts are arranged ina structure comparable with the structure of the above-mentioned patent.Thereafter, I will describe the double deck device and its adaptation inthis relation.

Referring to the numbered parts of the drawing, the body of my improvedcombination hay and stock rack consists of the bottom l and side boards2 2, which are supported on cross pieces or bars 3, extending underneaththe same and out into projecting supports at each side. These bars 3 arereinforced by a metal casing 3 wrapped around the same, and the brackets4 at each side are mounted on these cross arms and cap over the outerends by flanges 4', and are bolted securely to the projecting ends ofsaid cross arms and also to the side 2. The upper part of the bracket 4is divided with side projections 5 5, forming a recess closed at thebottom sides and inner ends to receive the arms of the pivotal racksides above. The bottom of the recess' between the wings 5 5 is squareacross. In the cast-ing just within the outer end of the recess is adepression 7. Mortises 8, 9 are provided through the inner end wall ofthe recess to receive the bottom lug of the adjustable side arm when thesame is stood outwardly at an angle, and a vertical slot 12 is formed toreceive the lug 17 when the side arm is stood upright. A mortise 10 isprovided in the bottom of the recess to receive thedownwardly-projecting lug 18 when the arm projects horizontally, and toreceive the end of the lug 16 when the arm is stood upright. The slot12, terminating in mortise 11, is also to receive the stakes or shanks23 that are on the side ot the top box which will be hereinafterdescribed.

The arms for the rack sides are provided with projecting tenons toengage the diterent mortises in the brackets. The tenon 16 projects intothe mortise 8 or 9, to adjust the rack sides at different angles, asappears in Fig. A laterally projecting tenen 1S engages in the mortise1() when the tenon 16 inserted in either ot the mortises 8 or 9, asindicated when the rack side is adjusted at an angle. "When the rack isadj usted to the vertical position, the tenon 16 extends into themortise 10. There are projecting lugs 17 at each side of the upperportion of the rack arm which extend into the slot 12 and lock the partsin place.

The side plates 5 are skeletoned with openings 14 laterallytherethrough. In the side arms for the rack 15 are pert'orations 2O and21 into which are inserted large size pins, cot-ter pins preferably,when the arm is adjusted, and these lock the arms and prevent absolutelytheir withdrawal and the disengagement of the various tenons from thevarious mortises when the side arms are put in any particular position.A perforation 13 is provided in the bracket et into which the cotterpins are inserted when not in use to anchor the arms in place. The tenon18 is beveled at each side, as appears from the sectional view in Fig.8. lVhen the sides ot' the rack are removed, the top boX can be putinplace, which consists of the sides'22, which are provided withdownward'ly-proj ecting stakes 23 which are curved outwardly anddownwardly and arranged toA engage in the slots 12 and mortises 11, asindicated clearly in Fig. 9.

From this description, it will now be readily understood that theoperation of the structure is comparatively simple and easy. The side ofthe rack to be adjusted in place is raised up so that the lug or tenon18 of each arm hooks into the corresponding recess of each correspondingbracket and engages the depression 7 toward the outer end of suchrecess. Because the lugs are beveled at the sides and because the sidesof the recess are flared outwardly, this can be very readily and easilyaccomplished. lVhen this is done the outer edge of the side of the rackis raised upwardly until the same pivots on the lug 18, resting in thesaid recesses 7, until each tenon 16 reaches a point at the right heightto insertin the mortise 8 or into the mortise 9, depending on the heightto which it is desired to adjust the rack. Then the side of the rack canbe readily moved into place, when each tenon 16 of each arm will enterthe desired mortise of each bracket and the tenon 1S will drop into themortise 10 in the bottom of the recess of each corresponding bracket.Then the pin 19 can be inserted through the perforation 21 in each armand extend into recesses 1a in each side when it will be impossible toremove the structure.

Then it is desired to place the rack in the upright position, the sameis raised until the tenen 16 engages in the mort-ise 10 when thestructure drops down and the projecting lugs 17 engage the verticalslots 12 at the inner side of the bracket. pin is then inserted throughthe perforation 20, and the whole structure is eiilectively anchored inplace.

Considering now the double deck features, cross bars 2st, correspondingto the number of brackets, are provided. On t-he under side of thesecross arms are engaging members or blocks 25-25, which are secured tothe said cross arms by bolts 26, through up turned ears 27, whichembrace the same. One of the bolts 26 enters a slotted hole 2S in thesaid cross bars 24, which permits the same to be adjusted to take careof the variations in the width of the rack. Both sides might be thusconstructed. These brackets are provided with downwardlyprojecting lugs16 and laterally-projecting lugs 1T to engage the brackets f1 in thesame manner that they are engaged by the lower end of the side arms 15,such parts exactly corresponding thereto. Brackets 29 are provided withsuitable langes 30 at their bottom ends, corresponding to the flanges etat the bottom end of the brackets al and are secured to the outer endsof the cross bars 2st. The upper portions of these brackets areidentical. with the upper portions of the brackets 4, and the side armsengage the same in the same way. Tt desired to remark, however, thatordinarily the brackets 29 will be provided with the slots and aperturesfor retaining the side pieces in vertical position only, for the reasonthat the wide spread oi the rack, which would be secured by adjustingthe sides to the angular position, would very rarely be Jfound to bedesirable.

The rack is ordinarily used with the sides vertical when the double deckis applied. A. floor 31, made up of longitudinal boards, is placedentirely across the cross bars 2l, when the rack is used as a sheeprack, or for hogs. The central portion of the deck is removable when,for any reason, as in the carrying of fruit, it is desired to have alevel ledge at each side of the rack.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. In a combination hay and stock rack, thecombination of the main body or box portion; brackets at each side, eachhaving a recess at its upper end with Haring sides with mortises in thebottom and inner side thereof and a vertical slot at the inner endextending laterally into the side walls and with a curved depressiontoward the outer end beyond the outermost mortise, for fulcruming thearms of the rack sides and loosely engaging the lugs thereon whenattaching and adjusting the same; rack sides having arms, each providedwith a tenon and lateral lugs projecting from their inner ends andhaving a laterally-proj ecting tenon or lug on the under side to engageon the said curved depression, whereby the rack side can be swung onsaid laterally-projecting lug like a pivot to raise it into place; and across pin through an arm at each side disposed to engage a correspondingbracket for retaining the sides in position, coacting for the purposespecified.

2. In a combination hay and stock rack, the combination of the main bodyor box portion; brackets at each side, each having a recess at its upperend, with mortises in the bottom and inner side thereof and a verticalslot at the inner end extending laterally into the side walls and with acurved depression toward the outer end beyond the outermost mortise, forfulcruming the arms of the rack sides and loosely engaging the lugsthereon when attaching and adjusting the same; rack sides having arms,each provided with a tenon and lateral lugs projecting from their innerends and having a laterally-projecting tenon or lug on the under side toengage on the said curved depression, whereby the rack side can be swungon said laterally-projecting lug like a pivot to raise it into place;and a cross pin through an arm at each side disposed to engage acorresponding bracket for retaining the sides in position, coacting forthe purpose specified.

3. In a combination hay and stock rack, the combination of the main bodyor box portion; brackets at each side, each having a recess at its upperend with flaring sides, with mortises in the bottom and inner sidethereof and a vertical slot at the inner end extending laterally intothe side walls and with a curved depression toward the outer end beyondthe outermost mortise, for fulcruming the arms of the rack sides andloosely engaging the lugs thereon when attaching and adjusting the same;and rack sides-having arms, each provided with a tenon and lateral lugsprojecting from their inner ends and having a laterally-projecting tenonor lug on the under side to engage on said curved depression, wherebythe rack side can be swung on said laterallyprojecting lug like a pivotto raise it into place, coacting for the purpose specified.

4. In a combination hay and stock rack, the combination of the main bodyor box portion; brackets at each side, each having a recess at its upperend, with mortises in the bottom and inner side thereof and a verticalslot at the inner end extending laterally into the side walls and with acurved depression toward the outer end beyond the outermost mortise, forfulcruming the arms ofthe rack sides and loosely engaging the lugsthereon when attaching and adjusting the same; and rack sides havingarms, each provided with a tenon and lateral lugs projecting from theirinner ends and having a laterally-projecting tenon or lug on the underside to engage on the said curved depression, whereby the rack side canbe swung on said laterally-projecting lug like a pivot to raise it intoplace, coacting for the purpose specified.

5. In a combination hay and stock rack, the combination of the main bodyor box portion; brackets at each side, each having a recess at its upperend, with a mortise in the bottom thereof and a vertical slot at theinner end, extending laterally into the side walls and with a curveddepression toward the outer end beyond the mortise, for fulcruming therack sides and loosely engaging` the lugs thereon when attaching andadjusting the same; and rack sides provided with a tenon and laterallugs projecting therefrom and having a laterally-projecting tenon or lugon the under side to engage on the said curved depression, whereby therack side can be swung on said laterallyprojecting lug like a pivot toraise it into place, coacting for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two witnesses.

FRANK CGVLES. [Ls] i Vitnesses:

CLAYTON C. JOHNSON, .Iosni` M. KEELEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Gommissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

